US006017243A
Ulllted States Patent [19]
[11] Patent Number:
Castaldo
[45]
[54]
STRAIN-RELIEVEI), WATER-TIGHT CORD
Date of Patent:
5,866,853
GRIP
[75]
73
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Inventor:
As '
Jan. 25, 2000
2/1999 Sheehan .................................. .. 174/65
Cosmo Castaldo, Westbury, NY.
2204750 11/1988
United Kingdom ........... .. H01R 4/24
220475OA 11/1988
[ ]
6,017,243
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slgnee 143271160136 613113136 unng 0 ’ nc ’
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United Kingdom.
Primary Examiner—Paula Bradley
'
Assistant Examiner—AleXander Gilman
ArtOmey’ A gen’t or F'm—P a“ 1J.Stt
u on
[21]
Appl. No.: 09/048,858
[22]
[51]
Filed:
Mar. 26, 1998
Int. c1.7 ................................................... .. H01R 13/58
[52]
U..S. Cl. ..................... .. 439/462, 174/65 SS, 439/590
grip A body having a bore With a tapered end wall and
[58]
Fleld of Search ................................... .. 439/589, 462,
external thread portion receives a deformable bushing hav_
439/461> 590> 885> 93> 98> 394; 174/65 SS>
ing a matching tapered portion. An assembly device having
66
a second tapered end Wall and an internal threaded portion
receives a grip device having a plurality of displaceable
_
_
[57]
A kltpf Cord mp cF’mponems. whleh when applled to an
_
electrical cord provide a strain-relieved, Water-tight cord
_
[56]
ABSTRACT
References Clted
?ngers. When the assembly device is threaded onto the body,
U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
the deformable bushing is compressed upon a cord inserted
in the cord grip to provide a Water-tight seal and some strain
2,963,536 12/1960 Kokalas .................................. .. 174/77
relief While the displaceable ?ngers of the grip device
3’581’269
5/1971 Frey et a1‘
securely grip the cord to provide the major portion of the
3603912
’
’
9/1971 Kelly
strain re 1e .
3,796,504
3/1974
-
""""" "
Marechal
1- f By ch ang-ing th e b us h-in g
.
.
an
dg-pd
n
ev1ce,
.
.
.
to
470307741
4,114,974
6/1977 Marechal
9/1978 Fidrych ______ __
ones having different diameter bores, and provided W1th the
body and assembly device, the cord grip can accommodate
4,145,075
3/1979 HolZmann ............................... .. 285/81
4 Wlde range of Cord dlameters
4,250,348
2/1981
5,410,104
4/1995 GretZ et al. ............................. .. 174/65
Kitagava ................................. .. 174/65
// l
'84
a
12 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent
Jan. 25,2000
Sheet 1 0f5
6,017,243
U.S. Patent
Jan. 25,2000
Sheet 2 0f5
6,017,243
U.S. Patent
F / 6 5.
Jan. 25,2000
Sheet 3 0f5
6,017,243
U.S. Patent
Jan. 25,2000
Sheet 4 0f 5
6,017,243
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U.S. Patent
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Jan. 25,2000
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6,017,243
1
2
STRAIN-RELIEVED, WATER-TIGHT CORD
GRIP
pointed Whereas for the larger apertures the tip ends are ?at.
The ends of the tips Will fully engage the cord insulation
When the grip is fully assembled. Ataper on the inside of the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
ring matches the short tapered portion of the bushing and
acts to center the grip means as the cord grip is assembled.
The ?nal element is the assembly means or gland nut
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to electrical cord grip devices and
Which has a ?rst internally threaded region in a larger bore
more particularly to a device Which provides a strain
portion Which threadably engages the ?rst externally
relieved, Water-tight joint With an electrical cord terminated
threaded portion of the body. The exit end of the gland nut
With an electrical plug or socket or connected to an electrical
has a smaller diameter bore and the transition betWeen the
tWo bores provides a second tapered Wall. The exterior of the
gland nut has a series of ridges and recesses to make
box.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art devices are knoWn Which employ a deformable
bushing trapped betWeen tWo tapered Walls or betWeen one
tapered and one straight Wall and deformed by the assembly
15
of a gland nut to a body to provide a Water-tight seal for an
assembly of the gland nut to the body easier. The second
tapered Wall engages the ends of the ?ngers of the grip
device and forces the tips into intimate engagement With the
electrical cord passed therethrough. This joint also provides
cord insulation to provide excellent strain-relief. It is an
object of this invention to provide a novel electrical cord
a limited amount of strain relief.
grip device.
The prior art also shoWs the use of slotted bushings to
It is an object of this invention to provide an electrical
provide strain relief for a cord grip but the Water-tight seal
is accomplished by means of separate O-rings.
cord grip device Which employs a single siZed body and
gland nut and a plurality of deformable bushings and grip
ping devices With differing siZed apertures to permit the cord
One prior art device shoWs a cord grip Which includes a
deformable bushing and a grip means in the form of a
circular member Which provides a single gripping edge for
the cord insulation and if the cord grip is overtightened can
cut through the electrical cord insulation. Also since only a
single siZe of deformable bushing and grip means is
provided, the cord grip is limited as to the range of and
grip to be used With a Wide range of cord diameters.
25
It is an object of this invention to provide nesting deform
able bushings and grip devices Whose aperture dimensions
can be altered by applying simultaneous axial forces to said
bushings and said gripping devices.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a kit
of components having a single body and gland nut and a
plurality of deformable bushings and gripping means Which
diameters that it can accommodate. As the cord diameter
increases and the grip ring is opened to accommodate such
cord, the circular member is able to grip less of the cord
periphery making for uneven strain relief.
can be selected according to the diameter of the cord upon
Which the cord grip is placed.
Other objects and features of the invention Will be pointed
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
35
out in the folloWing description and claims and illustrated in
The instant invention overcomes the dif?culties noted
the accompanying draWings, Which disclose, by Way of
above With respect to the prior art. A kit of components is
provided Which includes a single body and a single assembly
example, the principles of the invention, and the best mode
Which is presently contemplated for carrying them out.
means or gland nut and a plurality of deformable bushings
and a plurality of gripping devices Which can be used With
the body and gland nut to handle a Wide range of electrical
cord diameters. The body has a ?rst portion With a ?rst
In the draWing in Which similar elements are given similar
reference characters:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
exterior threaded region to be threadably engaged by the
FIG. 1 is a side elevational vieW of an assembled cord grip
gland nut to assemble the cord grip. The body has a second
portion Which may have a second exterior threaded region to
be placed in a knock-out and fastened to the electrical box
Wall using a locknut. Alternatively, the second portion may
constructed in accordance With the concepts of the inven
tion.
FIG. 2 is a side vieW, exploded, of a kit of components of
a cord grip, constructed in accordance With the concepts of
45
be an electrical plug or socket or other electrical device. The
the invention, and shoWing the cord grip employed With an
body has a bore through it. Within the ?rst portion, the bore
electrical plug.
has a larger diameter and tapers doWn to a smaller diameter
FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective vieW of the device of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational vieW of the body portion of the
through the remainder of the body.
Aplurality of deformable bushings is provided, all having
the same exterior pro?le. One portion has a long taper to
match that of the taper in the body. Another portion has a
short tapered portion. Each of the bushings has a different
siZed aperture extending through it and a different siZed
?exible Zone about the aperture. The ?exible Zone permits
the aperture to be expanded for the larger diameter cords in
its range.
cord grip of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational vieW of a body portion for use
55
Aplurality of gripping devices is provided, all having the
same exterior pro?le. A base ring, having a slot to permit
expansion of the ring, as it is placed about a cord, has a
plurality of de?ectable ?ngers arranged to extend along the
longitudinal axis of the cord passing through the cord grip.
The ?ngers each have inturned tips perpendicular to the
?ngers, and the ends of such tips de?ne an aperture there
through. For the smallest aperture the tips are substantially
65
With an electrical box.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective vieW of a plurality of gripping
devices of the kit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective vieW of the gripping devices
of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a front vieW of the gripping devices of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational vieW, in section, taken along
the lines 9—9 in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a front elevational vieW of a plurality of
deformable bushings of the kit of FIG. 2.
FIG. 11 is a rear elevational vieW of the bushings of FIG.
10.
6,017,243
3
4
FIG. 12 is a side elevational vieW of a deformable bushing
and a gripping means in their initial contact position.
FIG. 13 is a side elevational vieW of the devices of FIG.
by counterbore 66 Which leaves a Wide rim 68. A rib 70
12 fully assembled.
FIG. 14 is a side elevational vieW, partially in section, of
the body and gland nut of FIG. 1 disassembled.
5
Turning noW to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shoWn a kit of
components, some of Which are chosen and assembled to
provide a strain-relieved, Water-tight electrical cord grip 20.
The cord grip 20 is made up of a body 22 (see FIG. 4), a
selected one of the deformable bushings 24, a selected one
of the gripping devices 26 and an assembly device or gland
nut 28. Body 22 has an externally threaded portion 50, a base
52 and three (only tWo are visible in FIG. 4) standoffs 54
With threaded bores therein (not shoWn). A holloW insulator
shell 36 is placed along electrical cord 32 and the electrical
cord 32 passes through body portion 22 and is joined to the
15
contact connection screWs 38 of plug 34. ScreWs 40 extend
through plug 34 and enter the threaded standoffs 54 to
assemble the plug 34 to the body 22. The assembled plug 34
and body 22 may noW be pushed into the insulating shell 36
so that the hot and neutral contacts 42, and ground contact
44 extend beyond shell 36. A socket could be installed to
body 22 in Which case the front surface of the socket Would
Within the open end of shell 36 (not shoWn) and the overall
24a to receive the middle range of cord diameters. Coun
terbore 106 provides a ?exible and stretchable region 109
and Wall ending in rim 108 Which is thinner than the Wall
ending in rim 68 so that a range of larger cord diameters can
25
insulated socket Would be as shoWn by shell 36 on the left
of FIG. 14. Only the externally threaded portion 50 of body
22 extends out of the shell 36 for assembly of a gland nut
thereto as Will be described beloW.
Wall ending in rim 128 at leading edge 60. From trailing
externally threaded portions is used (see FIG. 5). A ?rst
35
out 76 in a panel 78 and receive a locknut 80 thereon so that
tethers 98 and 100 are formed at the same time as the
bushings are molded and may be the mold runners betWeen
regardless of the body employed.
adjacent mold cavities.
45
tapered outWardly as at 92 to leave a thin Wall 94 at leading
edge 96. The remainder of the bore 90 is generally uniform
for the remainder of bodies 22 and 70.
de?ned by the tips of the displaceable ?ngers of each
electrical cord and provide some strain relief is the deform
able bushing 24 shoWn in FIGS. 2, 3 and 10 to 14. As shoWn
same. A base ring 142 has a ?at cylindrical surface 144
Which is split as at 146 so that ring 142 can be opened to
by these ?gures, a plurality of deformable bushings 24a, 24b
and 24c are provided, each attached to an adjacent bushing
in a chain-like fashion. Although only three bushings are
shoWn, this number can be increased or decreased as 55
desired. Each of the bushings 24a, 24b and 24c have the
same external pro?le. The pro?le of these bushings 24
includes a long tapered surface 56 at trailing edge 61 Which
matches the taper 92 of bodies 22 and 70. A short tapered
surface 58 is formed at the leading edge 60 of bushing 24.
on the gripping means to help center the gripping means on
the deformable bushing 24. Bushing 24a is intended to
?exible and stretchable region 64 about bore 62 is provided
permit it to be placed about an electrical cord (not shoWn).
The inner bottom edge of base ring 142 is chamfered, as at
148 (see FIG. 9) to accept the short tapered surface 58 at the
leading edge 60 of a bushing 24 and center the gripping
device 140 and hold it in proper position during assembly of
the gripping device 140 before the cord is introduced into
gripping device 140. As shoWn in FIG. 12, the gripping
device 140 is positioned on bushing 24 surface 58 but the
gripping device 140 is not fully seated. FIG. 13 shoWs the
gripping device 140 fully seated on the bushing 24 With no
portion of surface 58 exposed. This occurs as the base ring
142 expands to accept the surface 58 of bushing 24. In this
The short tapered surface 58 Will mate With a tapered surface
extending from leading edge 60 trailing edge 61. A highly
Turning noW to FIGS. 6 to 9, 12 and 13, there is shoWn
a plurality of gripping devices, one of Which is employed as
part of the cord grip 20. The grip devices 140 are also
formed to have a uniform exterior pro?le and the siZe range
of cord diameters Which individual gripping devices 140 are
arranged to handle is determined by the siZe of the aperture
gripping device 140. Unlike the deformable bushings 24 the
interior pro?le of each of the gripping devices 140 is also the
The element to provide the Water-tight seal about the
handle the smallest cords in the range of cord diameters the
cord grip 20 can handle. Thus it has the smallest bore 62
edge 61, a counterbore 136 provides a Wall extending to rim
138 and a ?exible and stretchable region 134. The tether 98
joins bushing 24a to bushing 24b While tether 100 extends
betWeen bushings 24b and 24c. The tethers 98 and 100 keep
the bushings together in a chain-like fashion until the
bushings are to be used and then they are separated by
severing the joint betWeen the tethers and bushings. The
the panel 78 is securely held betWeen shoulder 82 and lock
nut 80. The assembly of the cord grip 20 Will be the same
Referring to FIG. 14, the internal structure of body 22 and
body 70 is shoWn. Abore 90 extends completely through the
bodies 22 and 70. From a point Within the body 22, at about
Where the externally threaded portion 50 begins, the bore is
be handled and also because of the larger cord diameter there
is less chance of collapsing the bushing 24b during assem
bly. A rib 103 surrounds bore 102 to prevent overstretching
of the bore 102 and possible injury to the regions 109.
Counterbore 114 leaves region 116 about bore 102 and a
Wall ending in rim 118. The bushing to handle the range of
largest cords is 24c Which has a central bore 122, counter
bored as at 126 to provide region 124 about bore 122 and a
A strain-relieved, Water-tight joint could also be made at
the entry of an electrical cord or cable into the knock-out of
an electrical box. In such case a body 70 having tWo
externally threaded portion is the same as portion 50 of body
22 and Will receive a gland nut thereon. Asecond externally
threaded portion 74 is intended to extend through a knock
about bore 62 prevents the stretching of bore 62 to the point
of tearing region 64. A counterbore 84 about bore 62 from
the trailing edge 61 leaves a ?exible and stretchable region
86, Wider than the similar region 64, and a rim 88 narroWer
than rim 68. The thickness of rim 88 and the Wide region 86
permits the entire deformable bushing 24a to be compressed
as the bushing 24a is forced along tapered Wall 92 of body
22 to securely grip the perimeter of cord 32 and provide a
Water-tight joint With some strain relief. The thick rim 88
prevents the bushing from collapsing and provides an
adequate surface to engage the gripping device as Will be
described beloW. The ?exible and stretchable regions 64 and
86 alloW the bore 62 to be enlarged by radial compression
of the regions if the diameter of the cord is not too much
greater than the original bore 62 diameter. For larger diam
eter cords, a portion of the region 68, 86 may be displaced
along the surface of the cord in the direction of the longi
tudinal axis of the cord.
Bushing 24b has a larger bore 102 than bore 62 of bushing
65
position the assembly of the gland nut 28 to body 22 permits
the gripping device 140 to be actuated as Will be described
beloW.
6,017,243
6
5
148 of gripping device 140 engages short tapered surface 58
of bushing 24 (see FIG. 12). The gland nut 28 is noW
advanced toWards the exposed end of body 22 and the
internal threads 176 of gland nut 28 engage the external
threads 50 of body 22.
As the gland nut 28 is advanced by pressure applied to the
external ribs 184, the gripping device 140 is fully seated
Referring noW to FIGS. 6 to 9, a plurality of displaceable
?ngers 150 extend from base ring 142. Each of the ?ngers
150 is made up of tWo substantially parallel ribs 152
perpendicular to base ring 142 With a thin Web 154 joining
them. This provides an increased ?exibility of ?ngers 150
over a solid ?nger. The ?ngers 150 are separated by slots 156
Which alloWs each ?nger to be separately displaced and to a
different degree if the cord is not completely symmetrical.
Each of the ?ngers 150 ends in a chamfered surface 158
Which engages a tapered Wall in the gland nut 28 to cause the
?ngers 150 to be displaced into intimate contact With the
upon bushing 24, the chamfered edge 158 of gripping device
140 is in full contact With tapered surface 180 of gland nut
10
cord insulation. One of the slots 156 is aligned With the split
Further advancing of the gland nut 28 on the body 22 Will
compress bushing 24 radially and the area about the bore in
146 of base ring 142 so that the gripping device 140 can be
installed on a cord.
On the interior, free ends of ?ngers 150 there are placed
inturned tips 160. The tips 160 each have a length and an end
surface Which engages the cord insulation and its length and
shape are determined by the diameter of the cord With Which
it is used. The tips 160a of gripping device 140a are long and
end in substantially pointed surface, Which describe a small
passageWay 162 therebetWeen. The tips 160b are shorter
than tips 160a and have a rounded end surface much Wider
than tips 160a and de?ne a larger passageWay 164. The
largest end surface and the shortest tips are those of gripping
device 1406. Tips 160C de?ne a passageWay 166.
FIG. 14 shoWs the interior of assembly device or gland
28 and the long tapered portion 56 of bushing 24 is in full
contact With the tapered Wall 92 of body 22.
15
the bushing 24 Will tightly grip the cord 32 exterior provid
ing a good Water-tight joint. Some strain relief is also
afforded by such joint. As the tapered Wall 180 of the gland
nut 28 acts upon the chamfered ends 158 of gripping device
140, the ?ngers 150 are displaced inWardly so that tips 160
securely grip the cord 32 insulation providing excellent
strain relief. The gland nut 28 is advanced to hand tightness
and no tool is necessary and if used may injure the cord 32.
To disassemble the cord grip 20 from cord 32 the above
steps are reversed.
25
While there have been shoWn and described and pointed
out the fundamental novel features of the invention as
internally threaded as at 176 to threadably engage exterior
applied to the preferred embodiments, it Will be understood
that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the
form and details of the devices illustrated and in their
operation may be made by those skilled in the art, Without
thread 50 of body 22 and permit their assembly. Partially
departing from the spirit of the invention.
closed end 174 has a cord aperture 178 therethrough.
Extending from the end of threaded portion 176 to the
partially closed end 174 is a tapered surface 180. The
engagement of the chamfered surface 158 of gripping device
140 With tapered surface 180 of gland nut 28 controls the
The embodiments of the invention in Which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are de?ned as folloWs:
nut 28. A bore 170 extends from an open end 172 to a
partially closed end 174. The bore 170 adjacent open end
172 and extending almost to partially closed end 174 is
1. A strain-relieved, Watertight cord grip comprising:
182 extends about the exterior of gland nut 28 at open end
a. a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end and
a second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
tric With a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
172 and a series of ribs 184 With recesses 186 betWeen them
b. said bore being outWardly tapered from a point betWeen
extend about the outer periphery of gland nut 28 to facilitate
installation and removal of the gland nut 28 from body 22.
To use the cord grip 20 With an electrical plug 34, a body
22 as shoWn in FIG. 4 Would be employed. A deformable
bushing 24 having a bore diameter Which is someWhat less
than the diameter of cord 32 Would be selected and its
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
35
position of the ?ngers 150 and the degree of engagement of
tips 160 With a cord extending through cord grip 20. Acollar
45
d. a deformable bushing having a ?rst end and a second
end and a bore therethrough;
e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface
trailing edge 61 inserted into the bore of body 22 With the
long tapered surface 56 engaging tapered Wall 92 of body
22. Next the cord is inserted through aperture 178 of gland
adjacent said ?rst end, said tapered outer surface of said
deformable bushing being complementary to said ?rst
frusto-conical Wall of said cylindrical body;
nut 28 and gland nut 28 is moved aWay from the cord 32 end.
Then a gripping device 140, having a passageWay With a
diameter someWhat less than the cord 32 diameter, is placed
about the cord 32 by opening the base ring 142 at split 146
and separating the ?ngers 150 at the associated slot 156 and
With the chamfered inner edge 148 facing the short tapered
edge 58 of bushing 24 and spaced aWay from the cord 32
end. The cord 32 is noW passed through the bore of bushing
24 and body 22 With the end of cord 32 beyond the end of
f. grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end and a
plurality of displaceable ?ngers extending therefrom
55
adapted to be positioned to align said ?ngers With said
longitudinal axis of said body;
g. each of said displaceable ?ngers comprises:
h. ?rst rib means extending from said base ring to said
?nger tip;
screWs 38 (see FIG. 2). The plug 34 is assembled to the body
i. second rib means, substantially parallel With and
spaced apart from said ?rst rib means;
22 using screWs 40 and threaded standoffs 54. The
body 22. The gripping device 140, previously placed about
cord 32, is advanced along cord 32 until the chamfered edge
toWards a second end, the tips of said ?ngers describing
at said second end a cord passageWay, said grip means
shell 36.
The end of the cord and the individual conductors are
prepared and attached to the appropriate contact connection
assembled plug 34 and body 22 may noW be pushed into
insulating shell 36 and any excess cord 32 pulled through
c. said body having an externally threaded portion adja
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
?rst frusto-conical Wall;
65
j. thin Web means connected to and betWeen said ?rst
and second rib means Whereby said ?ngers have a
reduced cross-section and are more easily displace
able;
6,017,243
8
7
k. assembly means having a cylindrical body member
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
tric With a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
having a ?rst open end and a second partially closed
end and a bore extending from said ?rst end toWards
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
said second end;
b. said bore being outWardly tapered from a point betWeen
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
1. a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore in
said assembly means betWeen said ?rst end and said
second end to said partially closed end;
In said second frusto-conical Wall acting upon said ?n
gers to control the siZe of said cord passageWay; and
n. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
c. said body having an externally threaded portion adja
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
frusto-conical Wall;
10
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
upon an electrical cord.
2. A strain-relieved, Watertight cord grip comprising:
15
a. a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end and
a second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
tric With a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
of displaceable ?ngers extending therefrom toWards a
second end, the tips of said ?ngers describing at a said
second end a cord passageWay, said tips of said ?ngers
are substantially ?at to securely grip a cord extending
through said cord passageWay, said grip means adapted
to be positioned to align said ?ngers With the longitu
dinal axis of said body;
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
25
?nger tip;
i. second rib means, substantially parallel With and
spaced apart from said ?rst rib means;
j. thin Web means connected to and betWeen said ?rst
and second rib means Whereby said ?ngers have a
reduced cross-section and are more easily displace
adjacent said ?rst end, said tapered outer surface of said
deformable bushing being complementary to said ?rst
frusto-conical Wall of said cylindrical body;
able;
f. grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end and a
k. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body
35
toWards a second end, the tips of said ?ngers describing
at said second end a cord passageWay, said tips of said
1. a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore in
said assembly means betWeen said ?rst end and said
second end to said partially closed end;
h. ?rst rib means extending from said base ring to said
In said second frusto-conical Wall acting upon said ?n
gers to control the siZe of said cord passageWay; and
n. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
?nger tip;
i. second rib means substantially parallel With and
spaced apart from said ?rst rib means;
45
and said second rib means Whereby said ?ngers have
4. A strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip comprising:
able;
a. a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end and
a second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
tric With a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
k. said grip means being adapted to be positioned to align
said ?ngers With the longitudinal axis of said body;
1. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body
member having a ?rst open end and a second partially
closed end and a bore extending from said ?rst end
In a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore
in said assembly means betWeen said ?rst end and said
b. said bore being outWardly tapered from a point betWeen
55
to control the siZe of said cord passageWay; and
0. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
d. a deformable bushing having a ?rst end and a second
end and a bore therethrough;
e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
upon an electrical cord.
a. a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end a
second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
c. said body having an externally threaded portion adja
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
frusto-conical Wall;
second end to said partially closed end;
n. said second frusto-conical Wall acting upon said ?ngers
3. A strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip comprising:
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
upon an electrical cord.
a reduced cross-section and are more easily displace
toWards said second end;
member having a ?rst open end and a second partially
closed end and a bore extending from said ?rst end
toWards said second end;
?ngers extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of said body;
g. each of said displaceable ?ngers comprising:
j. thin Web means connected to and betWeen said ?rst
g. each of said displaceable ?ngers comprises:
h. ?rst rib means extending from said base ring to said
d. a deformable bushing having a ?rst end and a second
end and a bore therethrough;
e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface
plurality of displaceable ?ngers extending therefrom
adjacent said ?rst end, said tapered outer surface of said
deformable bushing being complementary to said ?rst
frusto-conical Wall of said cylindrical body;
f. grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end a plurality
b. said bore being outWardly tapered from a point betWeen
c. said body having an externally threaded portion adja
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
?rst frusto-conical Wall;
d. a deformable bushing having a ?rst end and a second
end and a bore therethrough;
e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface
65
adjacent said ?rst end, said tapered outer surface of said
deformable bushing being complementary to said ?rst
frusto-conical Wall of said cylindrical body;
f. grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end and a
plurality of displaceable ?ngers extending therefrom
6,017,243
10
towards a second end, the tips of said ?ngers describing
c. said passageWay having an initial diameter adapted to
receive a range of cord diameters therethrough; and
d. said passageWay diameter is reduced from said initial
at said second end a cord passageway, the tips of said
?ngers extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
said body and are substantially ?at to securely grip a
Cord extending through Said Cord passagewal? Said grip 5
means adapted to be Positioned to align Said ?ngers
diameter and the tips of said ?ngers caused to bite into
the insulation of a cord having a diameter in the range
of cord diameters the passageWay is arranged to receive
With the longitudinal axis of Said body;
g. each of said displaceable ?ngers comprises:
and passed through said cord grip as said ?ngers are
forced toWards one another by their engagement With
h. ?rst rib means extending from said base ring to said
?nger tip;
10
i. second rib means, substantially parallel With and
an inner surface of said assembly means, Whereby a
grip means having a passageWay to receive the inserted
cord is separated from the chain of such grip means and
spaced apart from said ?rst rib means;
positioned betWeen said deformable bushing and said
j. thin Web means connected to and betWeen said ?rst
and second rib means Whereby said ?ngers have a
reduced cross-section and are more easily displace
15
able;
ing:
k. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body
member having a ?rst open end and a second partially
closed end and a bore extending from said ?rst end
toWards said second end;
a. a plurality of deformable bushings joined one to another
in a chain-like fashion, each of said bushings having the
20
bore having a diameter adapted to receive a range of
cord diameters therethrough;
second end to said partially closed end;
25
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
upon an electrical cord.
30
5. In a strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip of the type
having a cylindrical body, a deformable bushing, a grip
means and an assembly means, the improvement compris
c. a Wall of said bore of said deformable bushing;
d. an aperture in said Wall proportioned to permit a cord,
Within the range of cord diameters Which the associated
bore can receive, to pass therethrough in sealing
engagement With the Wall that de?nes such aperture;
said Wall de?ning said aperture gripping said cord more
tightly as the ?rst end of said deformable bushing is
forced into said body along a ?rst frusto-conical Wall in
said body, Whereby a deformable bushing having an
ing:
a. a plurality of deformable bushings joined one to another
same exterior pro?le;
b. each of said bushings having a bore therethrough, said
I. a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore in
said assembly means betWeen said ?rst end and said
In said second frusto-conical Wall acting upon said ?n
gers to control the siZe of said cord passageWay; and
n. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
assembly means to receive the inserted cord.
7. In a strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip of the type
having a cylindrical body, a deformable bushing, a grip
means and an assembly means, the improvement compris
35
in a chain-like fashion, each of said bushings having the
same exterior pro?le;
aperture to receive the chosen cord is separated from
the chain of such bushings and positioned betWeen said
body and said grip means to receive the chosen cord;
e. a plurality of grip means joined one to another in a
b. each of said bushings having a bore therethrough, said
chain-like fashion, each of said grip means having the
bore having a diameter adapted to receive a range of
same exterior pro?le;
f. each of said grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end
cord diameters therethrough;
c. a Wall of said bore of said deformable bushing; and
d. an aperture in said Wall proportioned to permit a cord,
Within the range of cord diameters Which the associated
bore can receive, to pass therethrough in sealing
engagement With the Wall that de?nes such aperture;
said Wall de?ning said aperture gripping said cord more
tightly as the ?rst end of said deformable bushing is
forced into said body along a ?rst frusto-conical Wall in
45
and a plurality of displaceable ?ngers extending aWay
from said ring, the tips of said ?ngers at a second, free
end describing a cord passageWay, each of said grip
means adapted to be positioned betWeen said deform
able bushing and said assembly means With said ?ngers
aligned With the longitudinal axis of said body;
body and said grip means to receive the inserted cord.
g. said passageWay having an initial diameter adapted to
receive a range of cord diameters therethrough; and
h. said passageWay diameter is reduced from said initial
diameter and the tips of said ?ngers caused to bite into
the insulation of a cord, having a diameter in the range
of cord diarneters the passageway is arranged to
6. In a strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip of the type
reeeive, passed through said cord grip as said ?ngers
having a cylindrical body, a defOrIIlable bushing, a grip 55
means and an assembly means, the improvement compris
are forced toWards one another by their engagement
With a second frusto-conical Wall in said assembly
means, Whereby a grip means having a passageWay to
receive the inserted cord is separated from the chain of
such grip means and positioned betWeen said deform
able bushing and said assembly means to receive the
inserted cord.
said body, Whereby a deformable bushing having an
aperture to receive the inserted cord is separated from
the chain of such bushings and positioned betWeen said
50
ing:
a. a plurality of grip means joined one to another in a
chain-like fashion, each of said grip means having the
same external pro?le;
b. each of said grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end
60
and a plurality of displaceable ?ngers extending aWay
8. A strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip for use With
from said ring, the tips of said ?ngers at a second free
end describing a cord passageWay, each of said grip
means adapted to be positioned betWeen said deform
able bushing and said assembly means With said ?ngers
electrical cords having a Wide range of diameters, a kit of
aligned With the longitudinal axis of said body;
cord grip components comprising:
65
a. a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end and
a second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
6,017,243
11
12
tric With the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
ing aWay from said ring, the tips of said ?ngers at a
second free end, describing a cord passageWay, each of
said grip means adapted to be positioned betWeen said
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point betWeen
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
deformable bushing and an assembly means With said
?ngers aligned With the longitudinal axis of said body;
g. each of said grip means having a different initial
diameter passageWay to accept different ones of the
range of cord diameters Which the cord grip can accom
said body having an externally threaded portion adja
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
frusto-conical Wall;
modate;
CL . a plurality of deformable bushings each having a ?rst
end and a second end and a bore therethrough and a
tapered outer surface adjacent said ?rst end, said
tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being
complementary to said frusto-conical Wall of said
cylindrical body, each of said bushings having the same
exterior pro?le;
15
ment With a second frusto-conical Wall in an assembly
. each of said deformable bushings having a different
means;
. said grip means being connected to one another in a
diameter bore therethrough to accept different ones of
the range of cord diameters Which the cord grip can
chain-like fashion Whereby the grip means having a
accommodate;
passageWay diameter to accept the cord diameter to be
inserted in said cord grip can be separated from the
said deformable bushings being connected to one
another in a chain-like fashion Whereby the deformable
bushing having a bore diameter to accept the cord
diameter can be separated from the other deformable
bushings and placed in said cylindrical body bore;
other grip means and placed adjacent the exposed face
of said deformable bushing in said body;
j. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body
25
. grip means having a base ring at a ?rst end and a
plurality of displaceable ?ngers extending therefrom
k. a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore in
said assembly means betWeen said ?rst and said second
end to said partially closed end;
1. said second frusto-conical Wall acting upon said ?ngers
?ngers With the longitudinal axis of said body;
. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body
member having a ?rst open end and a second partially
closed end and a bore extending from said ?rst end
to control the diameter of said cord passageWay; and
m. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
toWards said second end;
H. . a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore in
said assembly means betWeen said ?rst end and said
upon an electrical cord.
10. A strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip for use With
second end to said partially closed end;
electrical cords having a Wide range of diameters, a kit of
j. said second frusto-conical Wall acting upon said ?ngers
cord grip components comprising:
to control the diameter of said cord passageWay; and
k. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
a. a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end and
a second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
tric With the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
upon an electrical cord.
45
a substantially cylindrical body having a ?rst end and
b. said bore being outWardly tapered from a point betWeen
c. said body having an externally threaded portion adja
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
frusto-conical Wall;
a second end and a bore extending therethrough from
said ?rst end to said second end substantially concen
tric With the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body,
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
. said bore being outWardly tapered from a point betWeen
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
. said body having an externally threaded portion adja
said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;
said ?rst and second ends to said second end to provide
a ?rst frusto-conical Wall adjacent said second end;
cord grip components comprising:
a.
member having a ?rst open end and a second partially
closed end and a bore extending from said ?rst end
toWards said second end;
toWards a second end, the types of said ?ngers describ
ing at said second free end, a cord passageWay, said
grip means adapted to be positioned to align said
9. A strain-relieved, Water-tight cord grip for use With
electrical cords having a Wide range of diameters, a kit of
h. said passageWay diameter is reduced from said initial
diameter and the tips of said ?ngers caused to bite into
the insulation of a cord, having a diameter in the range
of cord diameters the passageWay is arranged to accom
modate and passed through said cord grip means as said
?ngers are forced toWards one another by their engage
d. a plurality of deformable bushings each having a ?rst
end and a second end and a bore therethrough and a
55
tapered outer surface adjacent said ?rst end, said
tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being
complementary to said frusto-conical Wall of said
cylindrical body, each of said bushings having the same
cent said second end and substantially overlying said
exterior pro?le;
frusto-conical Wall;
e. each of said deformable bushings having a different
diameter cord therethrough to accept different ones of
the range of cord diameters Which the cord grip can
. a deformable bushing having a ?rst end and a second
end and a bore therethrough;
. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface
accommodate;
adjacent said ?rst end, said tapered outer surface of said
. a plurality of grip means each having a base ring at a
f. said deformable bushing being connected to one
another in a chain-like fashion Whereby the deformable
bushing having a bore diameter to accept the cord
diameter can be separated from the other deformable
?rst end and a plurality of displaceable ?ngers extend
bushings and placed in said cylindrical body bore;
deformable bushing being complementary to said
frusto-conical Wall of said cylindrical body;
65
6,017,243
14
13
. inserting said bushing in the tapered bore of a cord grip
g. a plurality of grip means each having a base ring at a
?rst end and a plurality of displaceable ?ngers extend
ing aWay from said ring, the tips of said ?ngers at a
second free end, describing a cord passageWay, each of
said grip means adapted to be positioned between Said 5
deformable bushing and an assembly means With said
body having an externally threaded portion;
. applying an assembly device having a bore there
through and a portion of said bore containing an
internal thread to a portion of the externally threaded
body;
?ngers aligned With the longitudinal axis of said body;
- inserting a 60rd IhIOIlgh the bores Of Said Cord grip
h. each of said grip means having a different initial
body’ Sald deformable bushmg and Sald assembly
diameter passageWay to accept different ones of the
range of cord diameters Which the cord grip can accom
10
ment With a second frusto-conical Wall in an assembly
means;
j. said grip means being connected to one another in a
another in chain-like fashion, each having different
20
bore siZes to accept certain cords in said range;
. inserting said bushing in the tapered bore of a cord grip
body having an externally threaded portion;
. selecting one cord grip means having a passageWay
betWeen its ?ngers aligned With the longitudinal axis of
25
member having a ?rst open end and a second partially
closed end and a bore extending from said ?rst end
said body, said passageWay having a diameter to permit
said selected cord to pass therethrough, and separating
such cord grip means from a plurality of such cord grip
means connected one to another in chain-like fashion,
each having a passageWay of a different diameter to
toWards said second end;
accept certain ends in said range;
1. a second frusto-conical Wall extending from the bore in
said assembly means betWeen said ?rst and said second
. inserting said cord grip means into the bore of an
assembly device having a bore therethrough and a
end to said partially closed end;
In. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being
upon an electrical cord.
_
said bushing to tightly grip said cord.
chain-like fashion Whereby the grip means having a
internally threaded to threadably engage said body
externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip
_
12. The method of assembling a strain-relieved, Water
tight cord grip usable With a range of cord diameters to an
5 electrical cord comprising the steps of:
a. selecting one deformable bushing having a bore to
accommodate a selected cord and separating such bush
ing from a plurality of such bushings connected one to
passageWay diameter to accept the cord diameter to be
inserted in said cord grip can be separated from the
other grip means and placed adjacent the exposed face
of said deformable bushing in said body;
k. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body
_
grip body to deform said deformable bushing and cause
modate;
H. . said passageWay diameter is reduced from said initial
diameter and the tips of said ?ngers caused to bite into
the insulation of a cord, having a diameter in the range
of cord diameters the passageWay is arranged to accom
modate and passed through said cord grip means as said
?ngers are forced toWards one another by the engage
devlce;_and
. advanc1ng sa1d assembly device fully onto said cord
35
portion of said bore containing an internal thread;
. threading by engaging the internally threaded portion of
said assembly device to the externally threaded portion
of said cord grip body; and
. advancing said assembly device fully onto said cord
11. The method of assembling a strain-relieved, Water
tight cord grip usable With a range of cord diameters to an
grip body to deform said deformable bushing and
electrical cord comprising the steps of:
bushing to tightly grip said cord and causing the tips of
a. selecting one deformable bushing having a bore to
accommodate a selected cord and separating such bush
ing from a plurality of such bushings connected one to
closing said cord grip means passageWay to cause said
said ?ngers to bite into the insulation of said cord to
provide a strain-relief and Water-tight joint betWeen
said cord and said cord grip.
another in chain-like fashion, each having different
bore siZes to accept certain cords in said range;
*
*
*
*
*